U.S. patent number 10,808,425 [Application Number 15/436,944] was granted by the patent office on 2020-10-20 for spring loaded lock bolt.
This patent grant is currently assigned to CORNELLCOOKSON, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is CIW Enterprises, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jacob R. Snell.
![](/patent/grant/10808425/US10808425-20201020-D00000.png)
![](/patent/grant/10808425/US10808425-20201020-D00001.png)
![](/patent/grant/10808425/US10808425-20201020-D00002.png)
![](/patent/grant/10808425/US10808425-20201020-D00003.png)
![](/patent/grant/10808425/US10808425-20201020-D00004.png)
![](/patent/grant/10808425/US10808425-20201020-D00005.png)
![](/patent/grant/10808425/US10808425-20201020-D00006.png)
![](/patent/grant/10808425/US10808425-20201020-D00007.png)
![](/patent/grant/10808425/US10808425-20201020-D00008.png)
![](/patent/grant/10808425/US10808425-20201020-D00009.png)
![](/patent/grant/10808425/US10808425-20201020-D00010.png)
View All Diagrams
United States Patent |
10,808,425 |
Snell |
October 20, 2020 |
Spring loaded lock bolt
Abstract
A lock for a retractable door that is moveable along a track may
include a pin assembly coupled to the door and moveable with
respect to the door from a retracted configuration to an extended
configuration. A biasing element may bias the pin toward the
extended configuration. A strike plate may be in the track and be
configured to mate with the pin assembly. The door may be prevented
from moving along the track when the pin assembly is mated with the
strike plate.
Inventors: |
Snell; Jacob R. (Duryea,
PA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CIW Enterprises, Inc. |
Mountain Top |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CORNELLCOOKSON, LLC (Mountain
Top, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005125902 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/436,944 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180238082 A1 |
Aug 23, 2018 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
15/0205 (20130101); E05C 9/04 (20130101); E05B
65/0021 (20130101); E05C 9/22 (20130101); E05B
65/0876 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E05B
65/00 (20060101); E05B 15/02 (20060101); E05C
9/22 (20060101); E05B 65/08 (20060101); E05C
9/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;70/100
;292/163,164,DIG.51,DIG.55 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Barrett; Suzanne L
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Claims
I claim:
1. A lock for a retractable door that is moveable along a track,
the lock comprising: a pin assembly coupled to the door and
moveable with respect to the door from a retracted configuration to
an extended configuration; a biasing element configured to bias the
pin assembly toward the extended configuration; and a strike plate
in the track, the strike plate configured to mate with the pin
assembly; and a plug having an aperture configured to align the pin
assembly with the strike plate, wherein with the pin assembly is
configured to extend through the aperture, wherein the door is
prevented from moving along the track when the pin assembly is
mated with the strike plate, and wherein the retractable door
includes a housing configured to receive the pin assembly; and
wherein the pin assembly is moveably coupled to a bolt that is
moveable, with respect to the door, between a first position and a
second position, the door being lockable when the bolt is in the
second position; wherein the pin assembly is adapted to move in
concert with the bolt from the first position to the second
position and move independently of the bolt from the retracted
configuration to the extended configuration.
2. The lock of claim 1, wherein the pin assembly is adapted to move
from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration as
the door moves relative to the strike plate while the pin assembly
is engaged with the strike plate.
3. The lock of claim 1 further comprising a locking element adapted
to lock the bolt in the second position.
4. The lock of claim 3, wherein the locking element is adapted to
attain the second position whether or not the pin is mated with the
strike plate.
5. The lock of claim 4, wherein the lock is configured to cooperate
with the door and the track such that when the bolt is in the
second position, at least a portion of the pin assembly is disposed
within the track and the door is movable along the track when the
pin assembly is within a free portion of the track and the door is
not moveable along the track when the pin assembly is mated with
the strike plate.
6. The lock of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizer coupled to
the pin assembly, the stabilizer aligning the pin assembly with the
aperture.
7. The lock of claim 6, wherein the stabilizer is fixed to the pin
assembly and the stabilizer moves as the pin assembly transitions
between the contracted configuration and the extended
configuration.
8. The lock of claim 7, wherein the stabilizer is adjacent the plug
when the pin assembly is in the extended configuration and is
spaced from the plug when the pin assembly is in the contracted
configuration.
9. The lock of claim 1, wherein the biasing element is a spring and
the spring is un-stressed when the pin assembly is in the extended
configuration.
10. The lock of claim 3, further comprising a connecting rod
coupling the bolt to the locking element.
11. The lock of claim 2, wherein the lock is configured to
transition into a locked configuration when the bolt is in the
second position and the pin assembly is in the extended
configuration by movement of the door along the track toward the
strike plate such that the biasing element compresses when the pin
assembly engages the strike plate and decompresses when the pin
assembly is aligned with an opening in the strike plate such that
the pin assembly extends into the opening.
12. The lock of claim 11, wherein the lock is configured to
transition into the locked configuration when the bolt is in the
first position and the pin is in the extended configuration such
that the biasing element remains uncompressed as the pin passes the
strike plate and the bolt is moved to the second position such that
the pin is within the opening.
13. The lock of claim 1, wherein the strike plate includes an
opening and the pin assembly mates with the strike plate when the
pin assembly is within the opening.
14. The lock of claim 1, wherein the strike plate includes a ramp
portion extending away from the track, wherein the pin assembly is
movable to the contracted configuration when the pin assembly
engages the ramp.
15. The lock of claim 14, wherein the strike plate includes a face
with an opening and the pin assembly is configured to mate with the
strike plate when a portion of the pin assembly is disposed within
the opening.
16. The lock of claim 15, wherein the strike plate includes a foot
configured to be secured to a surface at a lower end of the
track.
17. The lock of claim 2, wherein the strike plate includes a face
disposed along the track, a foot, and an offset portion between the
face and the foot, the offset portion configured to engage the
track.
18. A method of securing a retractable door, comprising: moving a
bolt with respect to the retractable door from a first position to
a second position, the bolt movably coupled to a pin assembly, the
pin assembly moveable from a retracted configuration to an extended
configuration; locking the bolt in the second position; moving the
retractable door while the pin assembly is in the extended
configuration; engaging a strike plate with the pin assembly,
thereby transferring the pin assembly to the retracted
configuration; and aligning the pin assembly with the strike plate,
thereby transferring the pin assembly to the extended configuration
wherein the pin assembly is mated with the strike plate.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the bolt includes a channel and
the pin assembly includes an arrester within the channel configured
to limit movement of the pin assembly with respect to the bolt.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the moving the bolt step
includes moving the pin assembly in concert with the bolt, and the
engaging the strike plate step includes moving the pin assembly
independently of the bolt.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the pin assembly is configured
to move from the retracted configuration to the extended
configuration either before or after the locking step.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein the moving a bolt step includes
moving the bolt and a second bolt with an actuator, the second bolt
moving with respect to the door from a first position to a second
position, the second bolt coupled to a second pin assembly moveable
with respect to the second bolt from a retracted configuration to
an extended configuration.
23. A method of securing a retractable door, comprising: providing
a retractable door having a bolt moveable from a first position to
a second position, a pin assembly moveable from a contracted
configuration to an extended configuration, the retractable door
moveable along a track including a strike plate, and a biasing
element; closing the retractable door when the bolt is in the first
position and the pin assembly is in the extended configuration such
that the biasing element is uncompressed as the pin assembly passes
the strike plate and the bolt is moved to the second position to
engage the strike plate; opening the retractable door; and closing
the retractable door when the bolt is in the second position and
the pin is in the extended configuration such that the biasing
element is compressed as the pin assembly passes the strike plate
and decompresses when the pin assembly is aligned with the strike
plate such that the pin assembly is mated with the strike
plate.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein providing the retractable door
comprises retrofitting the bolt, pin assembly, and biasing element
into an existing door by replacing a lock bar coupled to the
existing door with the bolt, pin assembly, and biasing element.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the lock bar is housed within a
housing of the existing door and the method further includes
accessing the lock bar within the housing prior to the replacing
the lock bar step.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein the retrofitting step is
performed while the existing door is engaged with the track.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a lock bolt for a door
and, more particularly, to a spring loaded lock bolt for an
overhead rolling door.
Overhead doors are commonly found on garages, as security grilles
for retail stores, window sills, and other applications. Overhead
doors can include roll up types, track types, swing up types, etc.
These doors may move vertically along a track from a stored
position to a closed position where the door substantially
obstructs the doorway. It is preferable that these overhead doors
have a lock to secure the doors in the closed position. When the
lock is located at a midway point up the door, trespassers may
apply a force to the lower end of the door bypassing the lock and
creating an accessway enabling passage of a trespasser without
fully opening the door. Furthermore, it is desirable in a retail
setting to allow consumers to view merchandise through a security
grille even when a retail store is closed. Such visibility is
reduced when the lock is located at a midway point of the door.
Thus, the lock is typically positioned at the lower end of the
door.
Positioning the lock at the lower end of the door presents its own
challenges. For example, the lock typically requires a user to
first close the door and then bend down to activate the lock.
However, users may not perform the locking procedure in this
sequential order and may instead activate the lock before the door
is fully closed and then close the door. This can cause unwanted
wear and tear on the door as the locking element contacts a strike
plate associated with the track.
Thus, a door with a lock element which can be locked either before
or after the door is closed without damaging the door or associated
door frame is desired.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, a lock for a retractable door that is moveable
along a track may comprise a pin assembly coupled to the door and
moveable with respect to the door from a retracted configuration to
an extended configuration; a biasing element configured to bias the
pin assembly toward the extended configuration; and a strike plate
in the track, the strike plate configured to mate with the pin
assembly. The door may be prevented from moving along the track
when the pin assembly is mated with the strike plate. The pin
assembly may be coupled to the door and moveable with respect to
the door, between a first position and a second position. The door
may be lockable when the bolt is in the second position. The pin
assembly may be adapted to move in concert with the bolt from the
first position to the second position and move independently of the
bolt from the retracted configuration to the extended
configuration. The pin assembly may be adapted to move from the
extended configuration to the retracted configuration as the door
moves relative to the strike plate while the pin assembly is
engaged with the strike plate.
In a further embodiment, the lock may comprise a locking element
adapted to lock the bolt in the second position. The locking
element may be adapted to attain the second position whether or not
the pin is mated with the strike plate. The lock may be configured
to cooperate with the door and the track such that when the bolt is
in the second position, at least a portion of the pin assembly is
disposed within the track and the door is moveable along the track
when the pin assembly is within a free portion of the track and the
door is not moveable along the track when the pin assembly is mated
with the strike plate. The retractable door may include a housing
configured to receive the pin assembly. In a further embodiment,
the door may include a plug having an aperture configured to align
the pin assembly with the strike plate, with the pin assembly
configured to extend through the aperture. In a further embodiment,
the door may comprise a stabilizer coupled to the pin assembly, the
stabilizer aligning the pin assembly with the aperture. The
stabilizer may be fixed to the pin assembly and the stabilizer may
move as the pin assembly transfers between the contracted
configuration and the extended configuration. The stabilizer may be
adjacent the plug when the pin assembly is in the extended
configuration and may be spaced from the plug when the pin assembly
is in the contracted configuration. The biasing element may be a
spring and the spring may be un-stressed when the pin assembly is
in the extended configuration.
The lock may be configured to transition into a locked
configuration when the bolt is in the second position and the pin
assembly is in the extended configuration by the movement of the
door along the track toward the strike plate such that the biasing
element compresses when the pin assembly engages the strike plate
and decompresses when the pin assembly is aligned with an opening
in the strike plate such that the pin assembly extends into the
opening. The lock may be configured to permit the door to be
secured when the bolt is in the first position and the pin is in
the extended configuration such that the biasing element remains
uncompressed as the pin passes the strike plate and the bolt is
moved to the second position such that the pin is within the
opening. The strike plate may include an opening and the pin
assembly mates with the strike plate when the pin assembly is
within the opening. The strike plate may include a ramp portion
extending away from the track, wherein the pin assembly is movable
to the contracted configuration when the pin assembly engages the
ramp. The strike plate may include a face with an opening and the
pin assembly is configured to mate with the strike plate when a
portion of the pin assembly is disposed within the opening. The
strike plate may include a foot configured to be secured to a
surface at a lower end of the track. The strike plate may include
an offset portion between the face and the foot, the offset portion
configured to engage the track.
In one embodiment, a method of securing a retractable door may
comprise moving a bolt with respect to the retractable door from a
first position to a second position, the bolt movably coupled to a
pin assembly moveable with respect to the bolt from a retracted
configuration to an extended configuration; locking the bolt in the
second position; moving the door while the pin assembly is in the
extended configuration; engaging a strike plate with the pin
assembly, thereby transferring the pin assembly to the retracted
configuration; and aligning the pin assembly the strike plate,
thereby transferring the pin assembly to the extended configuration
wherein the pin assembly is mated with the strike plate. The bolt
may include a channel and the pin assembly may include an arrester
within the channel configured to limit movement of the pin assembly
with respect to the bolt. The moving the bolt step may include
moving the pin assembly in concert with the bolt, and the engaging
the strike plate step may include moving the pin assembly
independently of the bolt. The pin assembly may move between the
extended configuration and the retracted configuration after the
locking step. The moving a bolt step may include moving the bolt
and a second bolt with an actuator, the second bolt may move with
respect to the door from a first position to a second position, the
second bolt may be coupled to a second pin moveable with respect to
the second bolt between an extended configuration and a retracted
configuration with a second biasing element biasing the pin to the
extended configuration.
A method of securing a retractable door may comprise providing a
retractable door having a bolt moveable between a first position
and a second position, a pin assembly moveable from a contracted
configuration to an extended configuration, the door moveable along
a track including a strike plate. The method may include closing
the retractable door when the bolt is in the first position and the
pin assembly is in the extended configuration such that the biasing
element is uncompressed as the pin assembly passes the strike plate
and the bolt is moved to the second position such that the pin
assembly is mated with the strike plate. The method may include
opening the door; and closing the door when the bolt is in the
second position and the pin assembly is in the extended
configuration such that the biasing element is compressed as the
pin assembly passes the strike plate and decompresses when the pin
assembly is aligned with the opening such that the assembly extends
into the opening. In a further embodiment, the method includes
retrofitting the bolt, pin assembly, and biasing element into an
existing door by replacing a lock bar coupled to the existing door
with the bolt, pin, and biasing element. The lock bar may be housed
within a housing of the existing door and the method may further
comprise accessing the lock bar within the housing prior to the
replacing the lock bar step. The retrofitting step may be performed
while the door is engaged with the track.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of embodiments of the spring loaded lock bolt, will be
better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings of an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood,
however, that the invention is not limited to the precise
arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a door with a lock in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded top perspective view of the door lock of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the pin assembly of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the pin assembly of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a front sectional view along a plane defined by line A-A
of the lock of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the door lock of FIG. 1 with
an actuator;
FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a track with a strike plate in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of the door lock of FIG. 1 with
the bolt in a second position and pin in the extended configuration
and adjacent the strike plate of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of the door lock of FIG. 1 with
the bolt in a second position and the pin in a contracted
configuration and adjacent the strike plate of FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of the door lock of FIG. 1 with
the bolt in a second position and the pin in an extended
configuration and within an opening in the strike plate of FIG.
7;
FIG. 11 is a front sectional view of the door lock of FIG. 1 with
the bolt in a first position and the pin in the extended
configuration and adjacent the strike plate of FIG. 7; and
FIG. 12 is a front sectional view of a door lock in accordance with
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference
numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS.
1-11 a lock, generally designated 14, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring now to FIG. 1, the lock 14 may be attached to a door 16
by welding, adhesive, connectors (e.g. nails, screws, dowels) etc.
The door 16 may be an overhead rolling door, a security grille, a
track type door, a swing up type door, or any other type of device
which serves to obstruct a doorway or opening. The lock 14 may
secure the door 16 in position when it is in an open position, a
closed position, or anywhere in between.
Turning now to FIG. 2, the lock 14 may include a housing 18 which
may be coupled to the door 16 and have an internal cavity 20 to
receive the internal components of the lock 14. The housing 18 may
be formed from the same material as the door 16 or may be formed of
a different material having different properties than the door
(e.g., heat resistant, higher material strength). In one
embodiment, a moveable actuator 22 is within the cavity 20 and
moves with respect to the housing 18 from a first position to a
second position. In one embodiment, the actuator 22 moves toward an
end of the housing as it moves from the first position to the
second position. One type of actuator contemplated for use with the
present device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,974, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety. A locking element 24 (e.g., mortise cylinder) may be
coupled to the actuator 22 to lock the actuator 22 in the second
position. In one embodiment, a hole 26 is formed in the housing to
allow access for a user to use a key (not shown) to lock the lock
14. The actuator 22 may include a stud 28 adapted to be coupled to
a pin assembly 31 having a bolt 30 (e.g., via threaded engagement,
welding, ball and detent, bayonet lock). The pin assembly 31 may be
moveable with respect to the housing 18 when the actuator 22 moves.
In one embodiment, the pin assembly 31 includes a pin 32 coupled to
the bolt 30 and the pin 32 is moveable with respect to the bolt 30
and housing 18, as explained in greater detail below. A plug 34 may
be at least partially positioned within the housing 18. In one
embodiment, a first portion 36 of the plug 34 may be within the
housing 18 and a second portion 38 of the plug 34 may be within a
track 40 (best seen in FIG. 7) to align the lock 14 with the track
40. The housing 18 may include a removable access panel 42 which
covers an opening (not shown) in the housing 18. In one embodiment,
the opening (not shown) may allow a user to repair, modify, or
remove any of the internal components of the housing 18 while the
door 16 and the housing 18 are engaged with the track 40. For
example, a user may remove the access panel 42, detach an existing
lock bar from the actuator 22, and attach the pin assembly 31
without disengaging the housing 18 from the track 40. The access
panel 42 may be located on any side of the housing 18 and need not
necessarily be located on a bottom surface thereof. However,
locating the access panel 42 on the bottom surface may increase the
security of the door by preventing unwanted persons from removing
the access panel 42 to remove internal components and open the
door.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the bolt 30 may include a cavity (not
shown) that may be disposed within bolt 30 to receive the pin 32.
The bolt 30 may include a coupling 44 which can be attached to the
stud 28 (e.g. via adhesive, welding, nut and bolt, hook and loop)
on the actuator 22 such that movement of the actuator 22 causes
movement of the bolt 30 from the first position to the second
position. The coupling 44 may be attached to an end of the bolt 30
or a side thereof. The bolt 30 may be coaxial with the stud 28 when
the coupling 44 is attached to an end of the bolt 30. A channel 46
may be formed in the bolt 30 which is adapted to receive an
arrestor 48 (best seen in FIG. 4). The channel 46 may extend
through a sidewall of the bolt 30 or may be a recess which does not
extend completely through the sidewall. The channel 46 could also
be a protrusion, rail, etc. that engages a feature of the pin 32 to
limit movement of the pin 32 with respect to the bolt 30. In one
embodiment, the bolt 30 and the pin 32 are both moveable along the
same axis. In one embodiment, the bolt 30 may move between the
first position and the second position when the locking element 24
is unlocked and is prevented from moving when the locking element
is locked. In another embodiment, the pin 32 may move from the
extended configuration to the contracted configuration when the
locking element 24 is locked or when the locking element is
unlocked.
Referring to FIG. 4, the pin 32 may include an aperture 50 to
receive the arrestor 48. Alternatively, the arrestor 48 may be
coupled to the pin 32 via adhesive, welding, etc. In one
embodiment, the arrestor 48 is fixedly secured to the pin 32 such
that as the pin moves with respect to the bolt 30, the arrestor 48
is moveable within the channel to contact the ends of the channel
46 to prevent further movement of the pin 32. The interaction of
the arrestor 48 and the channel 46 may also prevent rotational
movement of the pin 32 with respect to the bolt 30. For example,
the pin 32 may have a cross-sectional shape other than round to
prevent relative rotation between the bolt 30 and pin 32. In
another example, the channel 46 may be wider than the arrestor 48
to allow some rotational movement between the channel 46 and
arrestor 48. In one embodiment, the channel 46 extends along a path
generally parallel to the bolt axis (not shown). In other
embodiments, the channel 46 extends along a curved path which
causes the pin 32 to rotate as the arrestor 48 moves along the
curved path. The pin 32 may be moveable with respect to the bolt 30
from an extended configuration wherein the arrestor 48 contacts or
is positioned toward a first end 52 of the channel 46 to a
contracted configuration wherein the arrestor 48 contacts or is
positioned toward a second end 54 of the channel 46. The cavity
(not shown) of the bolt 30 may be configured to receive a biasing
element 56 (e.g. a spring, pressurized piston within a cylinder,
electromagnets) which biases the pin 32 toward the extended
configuration. A gasket (not shown) in the cavity may prevent
debris from entering the cavity. In one embodiment, the biasing
element 56 is a spring contacting a surface (e.g. an end, a rim) of
the cavity and the arrestor 48 to bias the pin 32 toward the
extended configuration. In one embodiment, the biasing element 56
is a spring exerting zero or minimal force on the arrestor 48 when
the pin 32 is in the extended configuration. In another embodiment,
the force exerted by the biasing element 56 is lower when the pin
32 is in the extended configuration than when the pin is in the
contracted configuration. In another embodiment, the force exerted
by the biasing element 56 on the pin 32 is substantial when the pin
is in the extended configuration, but is still less than the force
exerted by the biasing element on the pin when the pin is in the
contracted configuration. The length of the channel 46 may be
selectable to a desired amount of relative movement between the pin
32 and bolt 30 as desired.
Referring now to FIG. 5, the plug 34 may include an aperture 58
adapted to receive the pin 32. The aperture 58 may allow at least a
portion of the pin 32 to extend through the plug 34 to be
engageable with a strike plate 60 in the track 40 as explained in
greater detail below. In one embodiment, an end 62 of the pin 32 is
flush with, or recessed with respect to, an end of the plug 34
(e.g., when the bolt 30 is in the first position and the pin 32 is
in the extended configuration. In another embodiment, the end of
the pin 62 may extend beyond the end of the plug 34 when the bolt
30 is in the first position and the pin 32 is in the extended
configuration. In one embodiment, the housing includes a stabilizer
means (e.g., a stabilizer 64) for aligning the pin assembly with
the aperture. The stabilizer 64 may be coupled to the pin 32 to at
least partially assist in aligning the pin 32 with the aperture 58.
In one embodiment, the stabilizer 64 is fixed to the pin 32 and
moves with the pin 32 relative to the plug 34. The stabilizer 64
may assist in limiting movement of the pin 32 by contacting the
plug 34 and preventing further movement of the pin when the
stabilizer 64 is fixed to the pin 32. In other embodiments, the
stabilizer 64 is fixed to the housing 18 and the pin 32 moves
through an opening (not shown) in the stabilizer 64. In one
embodiment, the stabilizer 64 is fixed to the housing 18 and the
bolt 30 is adjacent or in contact with the stabilizer 64 when the
bolt 30 is in the second position. The stabilizer 64 may be fixed
to the access panel 42 and the stabilizer 64 may be replaced by
disengaging it from the access panel 42 and interchanging a new
one.
Turning now to FIG. 6, the lock 14 may include an activator 66
coupled to the actuator 22 to move the bolt 30 from the first
position to the second position. In one embodiment, the bolt 30 is
spaced from the end of the housing 18 by a first distance when the
bolt 30 is in the first position and a second distance when in the
second position, wherein the second distance is less than the first
distance. The activator 66 may be a handle, crank, slide, rod, etc.
that effectuates movement of the actuator 22. The activator may
move from a first setting 66a when the bolt 30 is in the first
position to a second setting 66b when the bolt 30 is in the second
position. In one embodiment, the activator 66 may be removable from
the housing 18. In another embodiment, the activator 66 may be a
switch connected to a motor to move the actuator 22. In one
embodiment, the locking element 24 may only be transitioned to the
locked configuration when the activator 66 is in the second setting
66b and the bolt 30 is in the second position. In another
embodiment, the locking element 24 may be transitioned to the
locked configuration when the activator 66 is in either the first
setting 66a. The pin 32 may move in concert with the bolt 30
between the first position and the second position.
Referring now to FIG. 7, the door 16 may move within a track 40
when the door 16 is opened and closed. In one embodiment, the track
40 includes a seal feature such as a coupler 68 (e.g., a groove,
recess) engageable with a portion of the plug 34. In another
embodiment, the coupler 68 receives a seal (e.g. silicone, rubber)
to prevent or reduce the passage of gas through the doorway when
the door 16 is closed. The strike plate 60 may be positioned within
the track 40. In one embodiment, the pin 32 may move along a free
portion of the track 40 until the pin 32 contacts the strike plate
60. In one embodiment, the strike plate 60 and track 40 are formed
monolithically with each other. In another embodiment, the strike
plate 60 and track 40 are separate elements that may be coupled
together prior to the track 40 being installed in the doorway. In
another embodiment, the strike plate 60 is coupled to the track 40
after the track is installed in the doorway. In one embodiment, the
strike plate 60 is coupled to the track 40 by a screw 70 and washer
72 within a hole 74 (e.g. threaded hole). In another embodiment,
the strike plate 60 is coupled to the track by welding, adhesive,
nails, flexible connector (e.g. rope, wire), hook and loop (e.g.
Velcro), ball and detent structure, or the like. The track 40 may
include any number of strike plates 60. In one embodiment, the
track 40 includes more than one strike plate 60 which allows the
door 16 to be secured at various positions along the track 40. In
one embodiment, the track 40 includes a plurality of strike plates
60 which are spaced from each other along the track 40. In one
embodiment, at least one of the plurality of strike plates 60 does
not include a foot 76. In one embodiment, any of the plurality of
strike plates 60 which are spaced from a lower surface or floor do
not need to include a foot 76. In one embodiment, a track 40 is
installed on each side of the doorway (not shown) and each track 40
includes a strike plate 60. The strike plate 60 may include a foot
76 which contacts a boundary (e.g. ground, floor, windowsill) of
the opening to be sealed by the door 16. In one embodiment, the
foot 76 is adjacent the ground or floor such that the door 16 is
secured at the bottom of the track 40. The strike plate 60 may
include a back 80 which is adjacent to, or in contact with, an end
82 of the track 40 when the strike plate 60 is coupled to the track
40. A slot 78 may be formed in the back 80 to receive a connector
to secure the strike plate 60 to the track 40. In one embodiment,
the slot 78 is elongated and allows limited relative movement
between the strike plate 60 and the track 40 after the screw 70 is
coupled to the opening 74. In another embodiment, the strike plate
60 includes more than one slot 78. A ramp 84 may extend between the
back 80 and a face 86 of the strike plate 60. The ramp 84 may be
straight, curved, stepped, etc. and extend outwardly away from the
end 82 of the track 40 such that a rear surface 88 of the face 86
is spaced from the end 82 of the track 40. In one embodiment, the
face 86 is parallel to the end 82. In another embodiment, the face
84 is oblique to the end 82. An opening 90 may be formed in the
face 86 which receives the pin 32 when the door 16 is closed as
explained in greater detail below. In one embodiment, the opening
90 is slightly larger than the pin 32 to allow the pin 32 to enter
the opening 90 but provide only limited movement of the pin 32 once
it is within the opening 90. In another embodiment, the opening 90
is elongated to allow easier alignment of the pin 32 within the
opening 90. The opening 90 may be circular, square, triangular, or
any other desired shape provided that it is large enough to receive
at least a portion of the pin 32. In one embodiment, the strike
plate 60 includes more than one opening 90. In one embodiment, the
strike plate 60 includes an offset portion 91 between face 86 and
the foot 76 and the offset portion is configured to engage the
track 40. In one embodiment, the strike plate 60 does not include
an opening 90 and instead, the pin 32 is secured in a recess (e.g.,
adjacent the offset portion 91) between the face 86 and the foot
76. The strike plate 60 may fit between the couplers 68 of the
track 40 such that the strike plate 60 may be replaced after the
track 40 has been installed, if desired. For example, the strike
plate 60 could be removed from the track 40 and a strike plate 60
having a feature (e.g. opening, ramp, slot, foot) with a different
parameter (e.g. size, shape, location) could be installed.
Referring to FIG. 8, a cross-sectional view depicting one
foreseeable use of the lock 14 is shown. The track 40 and door 16
are not shown for ease of discussion but the strike plate 60 would
be positioned in the track 40 and the door would be connected to
the housing 18 as previously described. In the embodiment shown,
the activator 66 (FIG. 6) is in the second setting 66b such that
the bolt 30 is in the second position when the end 62 of the pin 32
contacts the strike plate 60. For example, a user may partially
move the door 16 along the track 40, move the activator 66 from the
first setting 66a to the second setting 66b, and activate the
locking element 24 prior to fully closing the door. The pin 32 may
remain in the extended configuration and move in concert with the
bolt 30 between the first position and the second position. The
door 16 may then be moved further along the track 40 until the pin
32 contacts the strike plate 60. In one embodiment, the end 62 of
the pin 32 contacts the ramp 84. In one embodiment, the end 62 of
the pin 32 contacts the end 82 of the track 40 when the pin is in
the extended configuration. In one embodiment, the end 62 of the
pin 32 is frustoconical or chamfered to assist in moving the pin to
the contracted configuration when the pin contacts the strike plate
60. The stabilizer 64 may be spaced from the plug 34 when the bolt
30 is in the first position and adjacent the plug 34 when the bolt
30 is in the second position and the pin 32 is in the extended
configuration.
Referring to FIG. 9, the pin 32 may move from the extended
configuration (FIG. 8) to the contracted configuration (FIG. 9) as
the door 16 continues to move along the track 40 and the pin 32
engages the ramp 84 of the strike plate 60 (e.g., when the door
moves relative to the track 40 and the pin is disposed within the
track 40). The bolt 30 may remain in the second position while the
pin 32 independently moves between the extended configuration and
the contracted configuration. The biasing element 56 may be
distorted (e.g. elongated, compressed) when the pin 32 is in the
contracted configuration such that the biasing element 56 applies a
force to the pin 32. The stabilizer 64 may be spaced from the plug
34 when the bolt 30 is in the second position and the pin 32 is in
the contracted configuration.
Referring to FIG. 10, the biasing element 56 may apply a force to
the pin 32 and move the pin 32 (e.g. when the biasing element
decompresses) to the extended configuration when the pin 32 is
aligned with the opening 90 in the strike plate 60. In one
embodiment, the stabilizer 64 is adjacent the plug 34 when the pin
32 is within the opening 90. In another embodiment, the stabilizer
64 is spaced from the plug 34 when the pin 32 is within the opening
90. In one embodiment, a user activates the locking element 24
after the pin 32 is within the opening 90. In another embodiment,
the user activates the locking element 24 before the pin 32 is
within the opening 90. The pin 32 may move between the extended
configuration and the contracted configuration even after the
locking element 24 is locked because the pin 32 may move
independently of the bolt 30. The door 16 may be secured when the
pin 32 is within the opening 90 and the locking element 24 is in
the locked configuration. The user may unlock the door by unlocking
the locking element 24 and moving the activator 66 to the first
setting 66a, thereby moving the bolt 30 to the first position. The
pin 32 may move in concert with the bolt 30 between the second
position and the first position, thereby disengaging the pin 32
from the strike plate 60. The door 16 may then be moved along the
track 40. It is believed that adopting a pin 32 which may move from
the extended configuration to the contracted configuration even
after the activator 66 is moved and the locking element 24 is
locked will reduce or eliminate damage to the track 40, strike
plate 60, and lock 14 when a user locks the door prior to fully
closing the door. In one embodiment, a bottom 35 of the plug 34 or
the lock 14 may contact the foot 76 when the door 16 is in the
extended configuration. In one embodiment, the foot 76 prevents
further movement of the bottom 35, and thus the door 16, along the
track 40.
Referring to FIG. 11, the door may also be secured by moving the
door along the track 40 with the bolt 30 in the first position. In
one embodiment, the pin 32 is in the extended configuration and
does not contact the ramp 84 as the door moves along the track 40
when the bolt 30 is in the first position. In other words, securing
the door can occur without distorting the biasing element 56. Thus,
the door 16 can move along the track 40 without the biasing element
56 exerting a force on the pin 32. The user may move the bolt 30 to
the second position once the pin 32 is aligned with the opening 90
in the strike plate 60 such that the door is secured without the
biasing element 56 exerting any force on the pin 32. The user may
move the locking element 24 to the locked configuration once the
pin 32 is within the opening 90 (FIG. 10). In one embodiment, the
user may move the door 16 along the track 40 with the bolt in the
first position and secure the door without the biasing element 56
applying a force to the pin, unlock and open the door, then close
the door with the bolt 30 in the second position such that the
biasing element 56 exerts a force to move the pin 32 into the
opening 90 as the door is secured.
Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown a second embodiment of the
lock, generally designated 94. The lock 94 is similar to the first
embodiment of the lock except that the housing 18 may include a
second bolt, pin, plug, etc. to engage a second strike plate in a
second track (not shown). In one embodiment, the actuator 22 and
activator 66 simultaneously move both bolts. In another embodiment,
the bolts are moved independently of each other. A connecting rod
92 may couple the bolt 30 to the actuator 22.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes
could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and described
above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof.
It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to
the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but it is intended
to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined by the claims. For example, specific features
of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the claimed
invention and various features of the disclosed embodiments may be
combined. The words "right", "left", "lower" and "upper" designate
directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words
"inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away
from, respectively, the geometric center of the lock. Unless
specifically set forth herein, the terms "a", "an" and "the" are
not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning
"at least one".
It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and
descriptions of the invention have been simplified to focus on
elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the
invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other
elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such
elements are well known in the art, and because they do not
necessarily facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a
description of such elements is not provided herein.
Further, to the extent that the methods of the present invention do
not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the
particular order of the steps should not be construed as limitation
on the claims. Any claims directed to the methods of the present
invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps
in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily
appreciate that the steps may be varied and still remain within the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *